dress codes

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Home : 2003 : September : 17

dress codes
By Karen

I work for the Mobile County Public Schools in Alabama. When I began teaching (six years ago)getting my "professional attire" together was difficult on a limited budget! I am not a jumper-wearing teacher! Being the youngest
teacher on our faculty, I wanted to look prof., but not old! Also, I wanted to be practical, because I teach 4 and 5 year olds - who can ruin an outfit in minutes! I found two pair of reasonably priced pants - 1 black, 1 khaki to get me started. I bought a week's worth of inexpensive knit shirts in a variety of colors, and made my own uniform. As time went by, I found it best for

me to have work clothes separate from 'fun clothes' (my good stuff!) I also found it helpful to have a few cardigans on hand. You don't have to dress like you are working on wall street to be professional. It also depends on the age/grade/subject you are teaching in deeming clothing appropriate. If you lean over to help a student at a desk and they can see your bra, you might consider throwing a tank top on under that shirt. If you teach Pre k or Kindergarten, pants seem to be more practical because it allows you to get on the floor with your students. And don't waste your time or money buying clothes that are dry-clean only - on a college budget - forget it! Thrift stores can be a suprising avenue for a few inexpensive basic pieces! If your city has a Junior League Thrift Store, or something like it, I would check it out.